House Concurrent Resolution 57

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE OLE MISS REBELS ALL GIRL CHEERLEADING TEAM AND COACH TROY ALLEN FOR WINNING THE 2022 UNIVERSAL CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION (UCA) DIVISION 1A GAME DAY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, for the second time in the last five years, the Ole Miss Cheer Team returned to Oxford from the Universal Cheerleaders/Dance Association College Nationals as national champions; and

WHEREAS, in the Division 1A All Girl Game Day category on Friday, the Rebels earned a score of 97.4333 in the semifinals to advance to the top spot, and they went on to win the national title with a 97.2333 in the finals, earning their first crown since 2018; and

WHEREAS, in the Game Day format, teams are evaluated on their ability to lead the crowd, proper game day skill incorporation, execution of skills, motion technique and overall routine; and in a competition focusing on program traditions, Ole Miss was particularly lauded for its "D-Fins" signs; and

WHEREAS, in addition to claiming the Game Day crown, the Rebels All Girl squad also won bronze in the Cheer category, while the coed team finished seventh in Game Day and eleventh in Cheer; and

WHEREAS, under first year Head Coach Troy Allen's guidance, the All Girl team was able to mark the perfect ending to the collegiate cheer career of six seniors on the All Girl squad; and

WHEREAS, Coach Allen's leadership was greatly supported by his Assistant Coach Skylar Byram Casey, Graduate Assistant Whitney Converse and Director of Athletic Spirit Groups Rachel Levetzow; and

WHEREAS, the members of this championship squad include:

Abigail DeWolf, Alexandria Bates, Ashlynn Leebelt, Baylee Cain, Isabella Doro, Isabella Valdez, Alexis Brianna Berry, Caroline Schiltz, Ashley Carson Stockham, Chamberlyn Grubbs, Caroline Channing Bridges, Claudia Shelton, Ella Hoover, Elle Pettitt, Gabriella Rico, Grace Meyer, Hannah Jenkins, Isabella Valdes, Kinsey Merrick, Mallie Reid, Marascalco Liston, Miranda Bellehumeur, Neely Makinster, Paige Choppin, Savannah Carpenter, Sydney Boothe, Sydney Gordin, Tyrie Pergola and Olivia Yaya Sala; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend this special group of university athletes who reached the pinnacle of collegiate cheerleading and have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Ole Miss Rebels All Girl Cheerleading Team and Head Coach Troy Allen for winning the 2022 UCA Division 1A Game Day National Championship, and extend to the athletes and coaches best wishes for continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Troy Allen and Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce for the team, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.